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Nissan Pulsar

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 5 model years from 35,111 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

81%

Total Tests

35,111

Highest Pass Rate

2018 (89%)

Years Covered

5

About the Nissan Pulsar

The Nissan Pulsar was MOT tested 35,111 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 5 model years (2014 to 2018), with an average pass rate of 81%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 89% from 3,071 tests. The 2014 model has the lowest at 75%. The 14 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Nissan Pulsars pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2014) averages 73,644 miles, while the newest (2018) averages 39,561 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1461cc)
£1,219
Road Tax
£200
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,824
Per month£152/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2018 details

How reliable is the Nissan Pulsar?

vs average of all models-1% (82% avg)
vs Nissan brand average+0% (81% avg)
Best to worst year spread14 percentage points
Reliability trendImproving over years

Nissan Pulsar by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201889%3,07139,561 mi
201785%6,50250,397 mi
201681%10,20759,808 mi
201577%12,90167,457 mi
201475%2,43073,644 mi

Questions about the Nissan Pulsar

Is the Nissan Pulsar reliable?

Across its 5 model years in our data (2014 to 2018), the Nissan Pulsar averages an 81% MOT pass rate, from 35,111 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2018 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 89%.

Which year Nissan Pulsar has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Nissan Pulsar has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 2014 model has the lowest at 75%, a 14 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Are newer Nissan Pulsars more reliable?

Newer Nissan Pulsars pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Nissan Pulsar Guides & Articles

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